We are a community of mighty thinkers and doers. We value each learner as an active participant on a personal journey toward success. We seek to understand ourselves and work together to impact our families, our community, and the world.
At University Park, we are committed to nurturing the whole child. Our teachers are lifelong learners with training to differentiate their instruction, challenging gifted students while ensuring success for all. Our instructional team collaborates to identify student strengths and needs, and then works collaboratively to ensure a comprehensive, targeted approach to teaching and learning. Physical fitness, wellness, the arts, and technology are integral and valued parts of our educational experience. At University Park, we love learning and foster a caring community built on respect, responsibility, and cooperation.
We share a love of discovery. . .Each classroom implements a reader’s and writer’s workshop in which students receive direct instruction in whole group, small groups, and one-on-one situations. These targeted instruction models allow our teachers to meet each student’s individual needs in order to reach or surpass grade level expectations. Students read and write a variety of genres each year. We nurture a love of reading and writing through modeling and providing authentic opportunities for students to express themselves.
Bridges and ZearnThese programs emphasize the application of mathematics to real world situations. Numbers, skills and mathematical concepts are not presented in isolation, but are linked to situations and contexts that are relevant to everyday lives. Each lesson includes time for whole-group instruction as well as small group, partner, or individual activities. These activities balance teacher-directed instruction with opportunities for open-ended, hands-on explorations, long-term projects and on-going practice. Throughout the curriculum students are encouraged to explain and discuss their mathematical thinking, in their own words.
Students using BSCS Science Tracks become engaged in the process of scientific inquiry and technological design by asking questions, conducting investigations, using tools, finding evidence, keeping reflective journals, and sharing their evidence and ideas. Students learn to work together as reliable members of a scientific team–a great way to make sure everybody in the group is involved and successful. The experiment-based modules also encourage independent inquiry through which students find answers to their own questions. Within each lesson, students check their own understanding individually or with their team and are engaged in hands-on learning.
Social Studies Alive! is program integrating hands-on active learning, achieving a consistent pattern of high quality social studies instruction while being mindful of standards. Assignments, involving multiple intelligences and higher-order thinking skills, challenge students to apply what they’ve learned. Students have opportunities to synthesize and apply the information they have learned in a variety of creative ways.
Three dedicated educators provide small-group language instruction as part of a pullout program for students learning English as a second language. This instruction supports the students who bring wonderful cultural diversity to our school.
At University Park, we have a Gifted and Talented teacher who works four days per week with classroom teachers and small groups of students to ensure our gifted and high-achieving students continue to be challenged. In cooperation with classroom teachers, the Gifted and Talented teacher develops an individualized Advanced Learning Plan for each identified gifted student. Gifted and high-achieving students have the opportunity to participate in four unique cross-school challenges throughout the year. We also have several teams of students participate in Destination Imagination each year.
Students who are achieving below grade level in reading or math receive additional small-group instruction during an intervention block that does not interfere with core instruction. The additional support our students receive helps bring them to proficiency.
At University Park, all students in grades K-5 have physical education, integrated arts, drama/music, and library in addition to their core academics. These creative and physical outlets support our desire to meet the needs of the whole child.
Band is offered to 4th and 5th graders in woodwinds, brass and percussion. Over 60 students receive instruction before school two times per week. Both beginning and intermediate band are offered. University of Denver Lamont School of Music and Metro State University students provide sectionals for each instrument section throughout the year. School-wide performances occur throughout the school year.
If you are looking for a caring learning community where students come first, join us at University Park Elementary School! Schedule a tour!
